Boston Bride Wedding Blog

Leave of Absense

2008-12-16T11:51:00.004-05:00

Hi all,

Just an FYI...

I have been (and will be) taking time off from posting to Boston Bride Wedding Blog in order to concentrate on my fiance's heath.

Best,
Kayla

How to Make a French Memo Board

2008-10-29T21:51:00.025-04:00

I've always liked the look of french memo boards and I wanted to use them to hold old sepia colored photographs of my fiance and I's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents on their wedding days. Since I'm VERY detail-oriented, I wanted the french memo boards to match with our wedding colors. So, I decided to make them myself with supplies my fiance and I picked up at Michael's (I owe him!!). Turns out, they're not too difficult to make! In fact, I spent more time in the craft store choosing the fabric and buttons than creating all three french memory boards! (P.S. I ended up returning all of the buttons the next day and replacing them with pressed flowers for a more formal and elegant look!)

Here's how to make a french memo board and how my final project turned out!

How to Make A French Memo Board:

Materials for a 16x20" french memo board:

-16x20" stretch canvas on stretcher bars
-1 yard of fabric for each board

-Quilt batting, about 20x24"
-6 yards of 1/2 inch ribbon (I used satin, but gross grain ribbon works great, too)

-5 buttons (optional)
-Needle and thread to sew the buttons on

-Scissors

-Staple gun and staples

Instructions:
1. Place the canvas face down on top of the quilt batting. Cut the quilt batting around the canvas leaving about 3-5 inches on all sides. (The batting I used was thin, so I folded it in half so it would have extra padding covering the canvas.)

2. Fold the edges over the sides of the canvas like you're wrapping a gift and staple it to the wooden part of the canvas. Be sure that the batting is nice and tight. Tim the excess batting.
3. Do the same with the fabric. Place the batting-covered canvas on top of the fabric and cut around the canvas leaving about 3-5 inches around the edge. Fold in the edges like you're wrapping a gift and use the staple gun to staple the fabric to the wooden area of the canvas. Trim the excess fabric.
4. Attach the ribbon. Measure out 2 pieces of ribbon that will reach from one corner of the memo board to the opposite corner, then make a big "X" with the ribbons on the memo board. After attaching the two pieces of ribbon to form the "X" using your staple gun, measure out 4 more pieces of ribbon that will reach from the middle of one side of the memo board to the middle of the adjacent side. These pieces of ribbon will ultimately form a diamond around the "X".

5. Attach the buttons using needle and thread if desired. I used a hot glue gun to attach dry flowers to place where the ribbons cross.

6. Disply your pictures! (I haven't finished arranging and displaying my pictures, but I stuck these in for show!)I made two french memo boards with blue fabric and wine colored ribbon and one larger french memo board with wine fabric and blue ribbon. I think I might use the larger memo board to display our guests' favorite memories of us. Later, we'll have our maid of honor and best man read a couple of the best ones outloud for everyone to hear (...and probably get a laugh out of!). We think it will be a nice way to involve our friends and family in our day.

An Elegant Halloween Wedding

2008-10-27T09:20:00.005-04:00

Halloween wedding do not have to be associated with witches, ghosts, skeletons, and other scary creatures and that go bump in the night! They can be fun and romantic! Here's an elegant Halloween wedding inspiration board that I created using bright orange tones and other fall favorites!

Wedding Place Cards

2008-10-17T10:29:00.024-04:00

Place cards don't have to be limited to paper tents lined up on a table! It's fun to think outside of the box and come up with a unique way to display their guests' names and seating assignments that go with their wedding theme! Sometimes, you can even have the place cards double as a wedding favors for your guests, which can help you keep your budget down! For my wedding, I'd like to stick mini wooden "signs" with my guests' names handwritten on them into berry cartons that will line the table. This will help set the theme for our wedding and also help to incorporate our berry tones! I haven't figured out the logistics yet, but if/when I do, I will be sure to them them! For now, here's what other brides have done to spice up their place cards!

I love the idea of attaching guests names to a horseshoe for a rustic wedding... and the pinwheels are simply adorable for a spring or summer wedding! For an outdoor wedding, hanging your place cards from a clothesline works great, or, try wrapping a strings in circles around a tree and hanging them from there! I also liked the traditional " tent"place cards on top of the rocks with the flowers around them. Placing them in a container on top textured objects is a low-cost, high impact way to display place cards! Some ideas are using small stones (for a Zen-like feel), cranberries (perfect for a fall wedding!), flower pedals, sand (for a beach wedding!), small candy, grass, bird seed, and coffee beans.

I created these collages of unique place cards using images are from The Knot, Chic Soiree Wedding and Event Planning, and Huckleberry Karen Designs.

Two if by Land... Two if by Sea

2008-10-15T22:15:00.005-04:00

The wait is over! Meet the beautiful David and Nicole, who exchanged their vows in a Jewish ceremony at the Bar Harbor Inn in Maine. What was especially unique about David and Nicole's wedding is that their gift for their guests was a sunset cruise on Bar Harbor! The images by Sarah Bastille of this magazine-worthy wedding are unbelieveable... you can literally feel the love! But, you don't have to take my word for it.... take a look for yourself!

I love, love, love the yellow! It's so bright and happy, just like the couple!

A First Look - Two if by Land... and Two if by Sea

2008-10-15T17:09:00.005-04:00

I hate to leave you in suspense, but here's your first look at what's to come.... :)

(How romantic?!!!)

Real Wedding - An Estate of Mind

2008-10-14T21:07:00.008-04:00

This magazine-worthy wedding was brought to life by the talented Boston / New England Photographer, Sarah Bastille. The beautiful bride and groom had their ceremony at St. Anthony by the Sea in Gloucester, MA, while the reception location was at the Crane Estate at Castle Hill in Ipswich, MA.

Talk about the ultimate wedding dress! This bride looks like Cinderella!

Come back tomorrow to see another featured wedding by Sarah Batille (a sneak peak to come)! :) You won't want to miss this one!

Brides Against Breast Cancer - Buy Discount Wedding Gowns for a Cause!

2008-10-14T12:16:00.016-04:00

Since October is breast cancer awareness month, I'd like to use this post to share a wonderful wedding-related breast cancer fundraiser for brides and breast cancer survivors to become involved with - Brides Against Breast Cancer.

The inspiring Brides Against Breast Cancer sponsors the annual charity wedding gown and formal wear nationwide Tour of the Gowns! They sell donated wedding dresses for a very discounted price -- so not only is it helpful for brides-to-be to save money on their designer dream gowns, it also helps women (and men!) battling breast cancer. Dress proceeds are donated to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Fund, which helps grant wishes to breast cancer patients!

Not a bride-to-be anymore but still want to help? You can! Dig out your old wedding dress from the back of your closet and send it to Brides Against Breast Cancer for another bride to buy and wear on her special day! Here's where you send your dress donation:

Gown Donations
Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation

2553 NW Division Street

Gresham, OR 97030

For more information about how to send your wedding gown, and to find out when the Brides Against Breast Cancer Tour of the Gowns event is coming near you, check out the official Brides Against Breast Cancer site for details!

What an awesome event for a great cause!!!

Black and White Wedding

2008-10-13T19:16:00.002-04:00

Black is the new wedding trend! Like your favorite little black dress, it's both timeless and elegant! Here's a black and white theme wedding inspiration board that I created. Another beautiful addition to a black and white theme wedding is a punch of color, such as red, bright pink, turquise, or green!

Real Wedding - A Quiet Occasion

2008-10-13T09:34:00.010-04:00

Today's real wedding was photographed by Saint Phalle Photography in Vermont... and it's a beauty! So often we see weddings take place during sunny summer days amid the couple's 200 closest friends and family, but this quiet winter wonderland wedding proves that cold weather weddings can be just as hot!

Katherine and Tom snuck away to the romantic Green Mountain Inn, which is nestled in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. Their wedding was a bit untraditional in that the photographer was one of the only attendants... this beautiful couple eloped and tied the knot in a private ceremony that was afficiated by a Justice of the Peace.

Take a look at these magical winter wedding portait shots... and to see more, check out Saint Phalle Photography!

Brr.. what a brave bride to make snow angels in her strapless wedding gown! Althoguh, I bet it's something she'll remember forever (and tell her children about later!)... and it sure made for an amazing photograph!

Got-to-Have Garters

2008-10-10T10:33:00.010-04:00

From ruffles and rhinestones to Red Sox and rock 'n roll, these gorgeous garters from Etsy are anything but ordinary! (So many to choose from... are you sure I can't wear one on each leg?! hehe)

Wedding Parasols

2008-10-09T20:01:00.008-04:00

As I promised, here are some more wedding parasols! Parasols are a fun prop for photographs of your wedding party, as well as a beautiful way to keep your guests cool during the ceremony! I love wedding parasols because they are romantic and are a great way to tie together your wedding colors! You can also carry the parasol theme over to other elements in your wedding, such as using drink umbrellas in your signature cocktails, or paper parasols within your dessert table, like the image from Martha Stewart Weddings (second row, image 1). I love this idea -- it's an economical way to add detail to your wedding... especially if you make your own paper parasols to match your decor with a variety of coordinating patterns! Once you curl the paper into a tee-pee shape, simply glue the edges together, add a toothpick for the handle, and Voila! You have your very own mini parasols! Another way to incorporate parasols into your wedding is to hang them from the ceiling along with paper lanterns for a whimsical feel! The possibities are endless with the many shapes, colors, patterns, and textures that are available now! They're even picture-perfect closed up and placed inside a basket for you guests to take on the way to their seats during an outdoor ceremony! Add ribbon and a little note to the basket or attach a tag to the end of each parasol for a personal flair!

I bought a white lace parasol for my wedding from Luna Bazaar and I love it! The lace matches the lace in my dress and it's SO elegant! For my bridesmaids, I bought sapphire blue rice paper parasols to go with our wedding colors. I wanted to get a mix of blue and cranberry because I love the look of alternating colors, but unfortunately, that color was not available. Definitely check out Luna Bazaar though! In addition to paper parasols, they also have all sorts of fun paper lanterns, paper fans, string lights, candle holders, and other decorative accents! If you've got a ginormous budget, also check out Pamelas Parasols (shown below)! Wow, they are goooorgeous! They have very bling paper parasols that are accented with crystals and feathers and printed with monograms and words!

Polyvore is Perfect!

2008-10-09T13:02:00.007-04:00

I just LOVE Polyvore! If you've never heard of it, check it out! It's site that allows you to grab images from anywhere online or on their photo gallery to create your very own collage! Not only is is perfect for creating wedding inspiration boards and wedding color schemes, Polyvore also an amazing site to use when decorating your apartment or home! With Polyvore, you'll be able to see how different elements in a room will compliment one other... BEFORE you try it out for real! If you're not interested in making collages, that's ok, too! I like to use the search box and find fun collages that other people have put together! They're always interesting and inspiring! Just be careful..... Polyvore has an easy way of turning one hour of your time into 5 hours of your time in a blink of an eye! ...Don't say I didn't warn you! :)

Here's a Polyvore collage that I created for one of the many wedding themes my fiance and I had while we were searching for the perfect wedding reception venue! At this time, we were on a french blue wedding kick and were thinking of incorporating lace, pearls, hydrangeas, and a damask print (very traditional and romantic). I think this inspiration board might look pretty with a Newport wedding!

DIY Wedding Ideas in the Making

2008-10-08T12:08:00.005-04:00

So HOW will I make this wedding theme a reality?? Here's a sneak preview of 8 of my low-cost design ideas and a few of the DIY projects that I'm working on! As you'll notice, I have been frequenting the Christmas Tree Shop for many of my 'personal touches'... I highly reccommend it for inexpensive decorative items!! Stay tuned for pictures and/or instructions on ALL of these fun projects and ideas!

1. Place cards: I've seen place cards on sticks that are stuck into grass... well, I'd like to use green cartons of berries all lines up with the place cards stuck into them!
2. Hanging Letters: I bought white hanging letters with my fiance and I's initials at Michael's for a couple dollars and decorated them with artificial flowers and berries!
2. Blue and white flower/toile print ceramics: I bought blue and white decorative balls (seen above) from the Christmas Tree Shop for only $1!! It was a steal!! I'm not sure where I'm going to put them yet... or how I will display them... but I'm a bargain shopper and they matched our theme! :) I've also bought a couple beautiful blue and white flowered vases/jars, as well as the bird pictured above, on ebay for inexpensive prices! They were probably about $15, as opposed to the jars shown in my inspiration board, which are over $200 a piece from William and Sonoma!
3. Homemade French Memo Boards: These are SO easy to make, and since I can personalize every aspect of them, from the fabric to the buttons, they will be a perfect detail to compliment our wedding theme and display personal memories! I covered the art canvas with batting, but I have not yet found the 'perfect' fabric to use to cover them... but when I'm finished, I'll be sure to share them with you, along with step by step instructions so you can make them, too!
4. Mason Jars: Fall is known for apple cider, which also happens to be my fiance and I's favorite drink! We'll be incorporating our love for cider into our wedding by serving our guests apple cider in mason jars (also only $1 at the Christmas Tree Shop). BUT, I didn't just stop there! I used thin ribbons in our color scheme to decorate the handles of the mason jars to give them that extra special
5. Monogrammed Mini Tissue Packages: Instead of the Nantucket brand stickers closing the packages, I'm going to get stickers that better match our wedding theme. I'm going to put the tissue packages in a basket with a silly little poem that I wrote: "We hope you smile and laugh a little, too/As we join our hearts and say, 'I do,'/ But should a tear slip from your eye,/ Have a tissue to keep nearby!"
6. Fleece Blankets: Another Christmas Tree Shop purchase! Can you believe these super soft fleece throw blankets were only $2.99?!? I couldn't either... I bought 6. "Don't you just love a bargain!" :) I'm going to be tying them all with blue satin ribbon and accenting them with a sprig of artificial blueberries and a tag that will read "Keep Cozy!". They'll be perfect to put in a cute basket outside for guests who want to mingle under the stars on a brisk September evening!
7. Throw Pillows: They're not pictured yet because I haven't picked out the fabric, but I'm going to be using them for our outdoor "lounge" area! I will probably match the fabric with the message boards to tie everything together!
8. Bird Stamp: How cute is that bird stamp?! The stamp's called Doodle Bird, and I bought it at Michael's. We're going to be using it to stamp throughout the wedding on tags and other stationary type things!

Do you have beautiful DIY wedding projects ideas? Please share them!!

My Wedding Inspiration Board

2008-10-08T08:59:00.010-04:00

Who doesn't like eye candy?! :)

Here's the most recent wedding inspiration board that I designed for our wedding! Our main colors are sapphire blue and cranberry, and we'll be incorporating a blue and white toile flower print (like the blue China pattern) throughout, as well as using a berry theme. I'm incredibly indecisive, so some of these elements will most likely change as the planning process continues, but the colors and overall theme will remain the same to reflect our personalities and style! Like my blog, it will be a little rustic elegant, vintage chic, and classic modern all rolled into one!

Enjoy!

(p.s. click to enlarge the inspiration board)

Rustic Elegant Wedding

2008-10-07T11:24:00.018-04:00

How gorgeous is this rustic elegant wedding that was beautifully photographed by Ryan Phillips Photography (located in CA)?! I can't get enough of it! It's images like these that are inspiring my picturesque New England wedding at Gibbet Hill! I love the wide open fields... and the bride's delicate lace dress matches so perfectly with the setting and theme!

Here's a couple more of my favorites! They're not from the same wedding as above, but they're too pretty not to share! Did I mention that I'm obsessed with parasols?!?! :) I'll share more parasol ideas in future posts!

Boston's Grazier Photography Booked!

2008-10-06T13:33:00.010-04:00

I'm super happy (and relived!) to have booked our photographers today! We booked Grazier Photography, a husband-wife team located in Roslindle, MA. I'm a big fan of Matt and Enna's Grazier Photography Blog and fell in love with their work, so there was no question that we wanted to meet with them and see more! During our first meeting, they immediately made us feel like we'd known them forever! In addition to viewing/talking about their GORGEOUS wedding albums (all custom-designed!!!), we ended up chatting about everything from their family talent shows to all my DIY wedding ideas! They have awesome personalities and seemed like they'd be a joy to work with on our wedding day! The first meeting lasted almost 2 hours... though time flew by fast... and it felt more like we were visiting an old friend! Zach and I are SO honored to have them as our photographers and are looking forward to our FREE (a bride's favorite word!) engagement photo shoot with them!

Here are some recent wedding pictures featured on their blog... As a bride who's obsessed with pictures, you can see why having Grazier Photography photograph our wedding is a dream come true! :) I highly reccommend any bride in Boston or beyond to give them a call if you're looking for fun, professional photographers that shoot beautiful, non-obtrusive, photojournalistic pictures of your wedding day!

-Boston Bride

The Barn at Gibbet Hill

2008-10-03T10:08:00.004-04:00

A lot has been going on in the planning process since I last posted! Now that things are REALLY underway, I'm going to try to be posting a LOT more frequently!

We booked a wedding location and officially have a wedding date! Our wedding will be held next September at the Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton, MA. My fiance and I fell in love with the place as soon as we pulled up! It has the country "New England" feel that we love (it's located on a black angus farm and the wedding will be held in a red barn), but keeps a sense of elegance and sophistication (the barn is completely renovated and gorgeous chandeliers line the inside and the tented patio).

Now that we know where we'll be married, I'm going full-force into the design/planning process! I can wait to share all my wedding ideas, as well as those from others that I will not match my wedding, but that are too gorgeous not to post!! :) Also, expect more wedding dresses posted in the near future because I am having second thoughts about whether the dress I chose is the right one for me.... so, I'll be going back to Kleinfeld's in November for a second look!

Lots to look forward to!! Come back to visit soon and I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

I Found My Wedding Dress!!!!!

2008-05-04T15:31:00.010-04:00

Hello again, my friends! It's been a while since I've last posted, but my life has become very hectic lately! Between finding a subletter for my apartment (my fiance and I move in together this weekend!!), packing, shopping for a wedding dress, my fiance getting sick, and myself coming down with a cold bug, I haven't had the opportunity to post my most recent wedding news! But, like they say, better late than never, so here it is!

I bought my wedding dress!!! My mom and I went shopping together a few weeks ago to a few different bridal boutiques looking for dresses by Maggie Sottero. I must have tried on about 20 of her dresses, along with a bunch of other designers, but none of them felt like "the one." Every bride says that when you try your wedding dress on, "you just know." Of course I liked a few of them, but I definitely wasn't ready to commit. It wasn't until I went to Kleinfeld's in New York with my mom that I found the dress of my dreams! It was like they plucked the image of my perfect dress from my mind and hung it on the rack in front of me! I absultely love it... it has a sweetheart neck line, buttons down the back, rouching, and beeeeeeeautiful beading all around it (although you can't really see it in the pictures... they don't do it justice!)!! I know my wedding is not for another year and 4 months, but I can't WAIT to put on my dress and walk down the aisle! When I tried it on at Kleinfeld's, I had the WORST cold, but I still felt like a princess. I can't image what I will feel like when I'm all dolled up on my wedding day....!!

So here it is..............MY WEDDING DRESS!! The designer is Pricilla's and it's a 2008 gown. (Keep in mind that this sample gown I am trying on was 10 sizes too big! They have it clamped in the back)

Fox Chair Mountain Farm

2008-04-17T20:25:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the Fox Chair Mountain Farm... my latest discovery on my quest to find the perfect reception venue in Southern Vermont!

Here is a quote from the site that describes a little bit about the farm:
"There are stunning stone terraces and woodland gardens along the rivers, a charming gazebo atop the windswept knoll and acres of green meadows with beautiful mountain views...all yours to enjoy and experience."

Here is why I love the Fox Moutain Farm:

1. THE GROUNDS!!!!!!! Check out these pastural views and mountains!!!! They're absolutely GORGEOUS and everything I hoped to find!!!! And can you imagine the rainbow of foliage during a fall wedding?!?!!!

2. The fire pit! One of the things I wanted to have at my wedding was a fire pit to roast marshmallows with birch tree branches and enjoy hot cocoa and warm apple cider! This place is perfect... they already have the whole set-up with benches and chairs ready to go!

3. They specialize in tented events!

4. The gorgeous iron gate and the nostalgic wooden swing are picture perfect!

5. The old fashioned scenic train ride that you can take nearby!

I Want A Photo Booth!

2008-04-09T22:03:00.010-04:00

My most recent wedding obssession is a photo booth! As I posted about yesterday, I LOVE pictures, so I thought a photobooth during at our wedding would be a fun, special touch! If it's in the budget, I would like to have a black and white photobooth and set up a table next to it with fun props! The table would have funny glasses, quirky hats, a colorful boa, a tiaras, among others! I saw in a recent wedding magazine that one couple had a basket next to their photo booth and asked their guests to print 2 sets of photos - one for themselves and one for the couple. After the wedding, the couple made a wonderful collage with all of their guests crazy photo strips!
Not only would the photobooth pictures be great keepsakes and favors for guests, I think the photo booth would also be very entertaining and nostalgic!

Tracy Turpen Photography

2008-04-08T22:05:00.004-04:00

I am a photo fanatic! During a one week vacation in the Carribean, I took over 600 pictures... during a recent weekend getaway in NYC, I took 250 pictures. My family calls me a tourist. My future in-laws call me the paparazzi. I think the hardest part of my wedding will be relinquishing control of the camera and letting the professionals do their job! For that reason, I am looking for an out-of-this-world wedding photographer! Photographs are so important to me that I am willing to fit an award-winning photographer into our budget, no matter what the cost! Hiring a quality photographer that I trust will give me peace of mind on my wedding day... and THAT is priceless!!

SO, I've started my search for my ultimate wedding photographer! I am looking for someone who shoots magazine-worthy photos in a photojournalistic style. I'd like them to be mostly candid and very artistic. I am not looking for a basic point and shoot photographer. I want someone who captures ordinary moments in an extraordinary way. I want to feel the emotion. I want the photographs to be imaginative and look like art. They say committing to a husband is hard and committing to a wedding dress is harder. Well, for me, committing to a photographer is going to be the hardest! :)

As picky as I am, I have found a wonderful photographer online through Vermont Vows. Unfortunately, the photographer is not based in Vermont, but in North Carolina! Fortunately, she travels! Her name is Tracy Turpen and her photography is fantastic!

Here is a sample of pictures from her blog. My favorites are located on her website, but it's in Flash so I am unable to post them.

More Bridesmaid Dresses!

2008-04-03T07:53:00.004-04:00

I'm still looking for bridesmaid dresses! My most recent find is Lynn Lugo Bridal! I absolutely LOVE the dresses! They're everything I wanted for my bridesmaids... except the prices are a little steep at $270. The bridesmaid dresses are not as expensive as Thread, but I think they're still a little too much to ask my teenage cousins to pay for - especially when I know that they will not wear the dress very often. Plus, my wedding is just one day. I need to keep reminding myself that!

Anyway, I love the dresses so much (too much!) that I want to share them with you all! Even in 2008, it can be hard to find classy, sophisticated, and modern bridesmaid dresses, and these are just that! I'd totally wear these dresses again... and again, and again! Plus, you can mix and match dress styles, colors, sashes, and fabrics until your heart's content! What more could you ask for in a bridesmaid dress?!

The dupioni silk fabric is so modern and fun! Below are the colors I'd choose!

Reception at Riverside Farms, Vermont

2008-03-31T20:10:00.009-04:00

This weekend was a productive wedding weekend! We called Riverside Farms in Vermont and spoke with a wonderful woman who answered all of our ceremony and reception venue questions! Luckily, my soon-to-be mother-in-law bought for me a wedding planning binder with pages of pre-prepared questions to ask! I can say for absolute certainty that as a first (and ONLY!) time bride, I never would have thought to ask about plating fees or the legalities behind throwing rice or blowing bubbles! Anyway, my fiance and I love their property and are excited to pay them a visit soon! To keep their land in tip-top shape and to give their undivided attention to each bride, they only have 2 weddings on the premises per MONTH! We're hoping to make an appointment to drive up there this weekend to grab the last opening in October while we still can!

Here's a little bit about Riverside Farms taken from their written informational package:
"Do you dream of an elegant wedding on an exquisite country farm? Let us assist you in designing your perfect Vemront wedding complete with a picturesque backdrop of stunning, unspoiled mountain scenery... Riverside Farm is a luxurious country estate, providing an exclusive setting for your dream wedding. The property consists of 160 acres of exquisitely manicured grounds, prisitine and unspoiled mountain scenery, with a fully renovated turn of the century farmhouse that can accomodate your wedding party and family. We are located just 10 miles from Killington Ski Resort, close enough to take advantage of all the mountain has to offer, but far enough away to enjoy the privacy of Vermont."

Instead of having our reception in their barn, we're opting to take advantage of their elegant tented event option! As with the rest of their property, it's breathtaking!

Here are a Few more pictures from Riverside Farms. It has everything a New England wedding should have -- wide open fields, tree-covered mountains, and a covered barn! Looking at these pictures, I can already imagine my dream wedding coming to life!!

Celebrity Wedding Inspiration

2008-03-26T20:46:00.004-04:00

I love watching Platinum Weddings, My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding and Celebrity Weddings on TV! I'm not planning a $100,000+ wedding bash with my fiance... so fireworks, dangling Swarofsky crystals, and three designer dress changes are out of the question. However, I CAN incorporate a few classy low-budget celebrity wedding ideas! Today I'm going to share a few of my favorite inexpensive celebrity wedding details that made them memorable! I'm hoping to include my own version of these special details in my own wedding!

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott incormorated a Wish Tree where guests wrote notes to the bride and groom and hung them on the willow branches. The vase (also holding orchids) was filled with shells that Tori and Dean collected on the beach in Fiji.

Nancy O'Dell and Keith Zubchevich had a string quartet playing during their outdoor ceremony. We're planning on having one, too!

Marcia Cross & Tom Mahoney incorporated a yummy candy station! The jars, filled with taffy, jelly beans, chocolate, and rock candy were all different shapes and sizes.

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell... Sparklers!!! I also loooooooooved their use of mason jars! What a perfect touch to a country-style wedding! I don't think we'll use mason jars as drinking cups like Rebecca and Jerry, but I might use them to put candles in!

Modern Thread Bridesmaid Dresses

2008-03-24T18:00:00.005-04:00

Yesterday around the Easter dinner table, I asked all my 4 girl cousins to be my bridesmaids! My best friend will be my 5th bridesmaid and my sister will be my maid of honor. Immediately, my cousins and my aunts wanted to know what color and style the dresses would be. I reassured my cousins that I would not stuff them in identical fluorecent orange pumpkin-colored dresses or a fluffy hi-liter pink ensemble! I've always wanted to make sure that my bridesmaids feel as comfortable and beautiful at my wedding as I do. Though my mind may change as the planning process progresses, right now, I'd like berry-colored or wine-colored dresses. As for the style, I'd like my cousins to choose a dress that they feel like a million bucks in! Long gone are the days where bridesmaids are dressed as identical twins. Each of my bridesmaids have their own unique personalities (which I love!), and I'd like them all to express their individuality at my wedding!

I saw a segment on an entertainment show about Thread in CA for modern bridesmaid dresses. Thread was also featured in InStyle. I love how these dresses are actually stylish!! I also like how they use variations of two different colors to create a complementary look with a variety of different style dresses. They're not for the bridesmaid on a budget (each will run you $550!!), but they are very cute and are great for inspiration! I'd love to incorporate this sense of style in my wedding. Here are my favs:

Wedding Inspiration Galleries from Real Weddings

2008-03-20T22:33:00.008-04:00

Today I want to share with you a few inspiration boards from one of my favorite wedding blogs - Style Me Pretty! This blog is written and designed by the incrediby talented Abby Larson. I am a HUGE fan of hers and read her blog daily! There are so many great wedding ideas to choose from! Her site is totally worth checking out if you're looking for an overall wedding theme, wedding colors, or wedding details! Keep up the great post, Abby! :)

The Proposal!

2008-03-18T20:39:00.014-04:00

My journey to the alter began on March 14, 2008! My boyfriend, Zach (now fiance!), and I took the Acela train from Boston to New York City for a weekend getaway. I had never been to NYC before, so I was excited to see Central Park, Times Square, and my first broadway show! Never did I imagine that my perfect weekend would become even more perfect when the love of my life dropped down on one knee beside the Bow Bridge in Central Park and asked me to marry him! I was shocked! All I could squeak out was, "Are you serious?!?!?! Ohmygod!" Everything around me was a blur - except for the gorgeous ring Zach held in front of me that sparkled in the afternoon sun. So now that we're back from the Big Apple, the planning begins! On this blog, I'll be chronicling my wedding journey from inspiration to alter! Feel free to share with me your thoughts and ideas to help my "Big Day" be extra special!